Apple has released iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, arguably one of the most important mid-cycle updates since the appearance of iOS, due to the amount of new features and enhancements it includes. We will then review all the changes.
Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch when you wear the mask
With iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, now also available for Apple Watch, Apple makes it easy to unlock your iPhone with a mask.
There is an "Unlock with Apple Watch" option that allows the iPhone to use an authenticated and unlocked Apple Watch as a secondary authentication method when Face ID cannot see your face due to the use of a mask.
You no longer need to remove the mask or enter your passcode to unlock your iPhone when the feature is enabled.
This feature requires an iPhone with iOS 14.5 and an Apple Watch with watchOS 7.4 and must be enabled in the Settings application by going to Face ID and Passcode and activating "Unlock with Apple Watch".
For this to work, the Apple Watch must be on the wrist and authenticated, and the first time it is worn, you will need to enter the passcode. If the clock is removed and locked, you will need to re-enter the password.
There is a proximity function, so it won't unlock if your iPhone is not close to the watch and the whole face can't be covered. A partial Face ID scan that compares the eyes is still required.
Although an unlocked Apple Watch can be used in conjunction with Face ID to unlock an iPhone without a passcode, it cannot be used to authenticate Apple Pay or App Store purchases or to bypass Face ID locks in apps. These will still require a full Face ID scan or passcode.
Support for AirTag
The iOS 14.5 update introduces support for Apple's recently released AirTags, allowing them to be tracked within the search app. On the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, there is a precision search function that uses the U1 chip to provide visual, audible and tactile feedback to guide you to a lost object.
AirTags have a lost mode, can be tracked by sound and can be found via the search network using iPhones, iPads and Macs of people who are near a lost item.
Apple Maps crowdsourcing for crashes, hazards and speed checks
iOS 14.5 includes a Waze-like crowdsourcing feature (user input) to report incidents, hazards, and speed checks along a route in Maps by getting directions.
There is a new «Report» button available in the Apple Maps application that allows you to tap to report an accident, hazard or speed check at your location in the Apple Maps application, which is a function offered by the application Waze maps. It is available directly on iPhone and CarPlay.
By tapping the information button in the top right corner of the Maps application you can "Report a problem" and this option now shows options to report an accident, hazard or speed check. When you get directions, there are also easily accessible report buttons for sharing issues.
Collaborative source information provided by Apple Maps users will be displayed in the Apple Maps application, providing advance warning of incidents and hazards to avoid.
ETA on walking / cycling directions
When getting directions for a walking or cycling route, there is now an option to send an Estimated Arrival Time (ETA) to someone via the Messages app. This can be done by tapping the route tab at the bottom of the screen or via a Siri request.
5G support on Dual-SIM
iOS 14.5 includes a long-awaited feature for those taking advantage of the iPhone's dual SIM functionality. iOS 14.5 incorporates global support for 5G in Dual-SIM mode in the iPhone 12 models.
The Dual-SIM function of the iPhone 12 allows you to have two telephone lines in a single iPhone, useful for traveling or keeping home and work numbers separate. Prior to iOS 14.5, Dual-SIM mode was limited to LTE in all countries except China, but iOS 14.5 will allow for the first time dual-SIM users around the world to achieve 5G speeds on both lines.
Improvements to the use of 5G data
Enhancements to Smart Data Mode offer optimizations over 5G networks to improve data usage and extend battery life. 5G international roaming has also been enabled for carriers supported on iPhone 12 models.
New emoji characters
iOS 14.5 introduces several new emoji characters including flaming heart, repaired heart, exhausted face, spiral-eyed face, face in the clouds, along with several gender options for bearded people. There are even more couple emojis that have new skin tone blends.
Apple removed the blood from the syringe emoji to give it a more neutral look that also works with vaccines. The headphone emoji has been updated to resemble the AirPods Max rather than a generic set of headphones, and the climbing emoji now includes a helmet.
Setting up a preferred music subscription service
On iO5 and iPadOS 14.5, there is an option to select a preferred music subscription service when asking Siri to play songs, which Siri will use whenever you ask to play music, a podcast or an audiobook.
The first time you ask Siri to play something after installing the update, you will see an option to choose from a list of third-party audio services in addition to Apple's built-in apps like Apple
Music and Apple podcasts.
After selecting an application, Siri will use that service every time it asks the personal assistant to play a song. So, for example, if Spotify is set as default and then Siri is asked to play a song, you won't need to specify "to Spotify" every time.
This is not a "default" music setting and there is no panel to select which service to use, rather it is a function in which Siri learns the choice and uses it. Since there is no switch, Siri may occasionally ask again which subscription system it wants to play music to confirm the selection.
New Siri voices
There are two new English voices Siri voces in iOS 14.5 and by default Siri no longer has a female voice. Users can choose a preferred Siri voice in Settings.
After updating to iOS 14.5, the “Siri and search” part in Settings, has an improved “Voices of Siri” option. The «Accent» tag has been changed to «Variety» and there is no longer a «Genre» selection due to the addition of voices.
Other Siri improvements
Incoming calls can be announced with Siri, with Siri giving details of who is calling. When using AirPods or Beats headphones, you can answer calls hands-free. Siri can also dial emergency contacts and create group FaceTime calls.
Voice control of accessibility
Voice control capabilities in English are expanding in Australia and Canada, while support for Spanish is added in Mexico, Spain and the United States.
Extended controller support
With iOS and iPadOS 14.5, you can now use the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers with iPhone and iPad. The new drivers also connect to Apple TV with the tvOS 14.5 update.
IPhone 11 Battery Recalibration
For iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, iOS 14.5 introduces a new process to recalibrate the Battery Status Report feature.
The update recalibrates the maximum battery capacity and maximum performance capacity on the iPhone 11 models to address inaccurate estimates from the battery health reports that some users have found.
Symptoms of this error include unexpected battery drain behavior or, in some cases, a reduction in maximum performance capacity, and these issues should be resolved after installing the update. The recalibration process may take a few weeks to complete after the update.
Transparency of app tracking
With the release of iOS 14.5, developers must now request and receive user permission before an app can access their random advertising identifier, which is used to track their activity across apps and websites.
You're probably already familiar with these upcoming changes because Facebook has fought them, but with iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and tvOS 14.5, you'll see more and more apps start complying with Apple's rules, presenting a pop-up that lets you either accept or disable tracking. ads.
Apple has already implemented the entire framework for app tracking transparency, so these pop-ups will also appear more frequently in older versions of iOS 14. iOS 14.5 is more of a deadline than a feature update when it comes to the new rules on Apple's privacy. but it will mark the wide adoption of Apple's OSiOS 14 anti-tracking functionality.
A notable aspect of this change is the requirement that developers do not track the user in other ways to circumvent their decision not to be tracked, so if the user chooses not to allow an application to track him with an advertising identifier random, that app won't. being able to use unauthorized Apple tools to circumvent the rules.
Apple Music changes
There are several small changes in "Apple Music" which, when combined, result in a much better user experience.
There are new swipe gestures to add a song to the Next queue or add it to the Apple Music library. When you press and hold a song, there are also new options for "Play last" and "Show album".
In the Library, the download button has been replaced with three dots that can be tapped to access a wide range of options for a song.
The actions are the same as the actions available by long-pressing a song title anywhere in the Music app.
There is also a new "Share Lyrics" feature that allows you to send lyrics and song clips to other people. You just have to hold down the live lyrics of a song to bring up a sharing interface. Not available for all songs that support lyrics.
The letter sharing option is compatible with Instagram Stories and iMessage cards. If song lyrics are sent via Messages, the specific part of the song is played in the Messages app.
For some albums, the registration tag information is displayed more prominently, with an option to tap it to search for more albums on the tag.
Apple Music "City Directories"
The new “City Charts” have arrived that offer users access to playlists with the most listened to songs in more than 100 cities around the world.
Podcast app
There are a few changes to the design of the Podcast app, and Apple introduces a new smart button that replaces the old play button, along with an updated interface that makes it easier to find, track, and listen to new episodes.
Podcasts in «Shows» are now more prominently listed with episode descriptions and an easier to access «Resume» button, plus the search tab allows you to browse different categories to find what you are looking for.
Apple is also removing the word "Subscribe" from the Podcast app in iOS 14.5, replacing it with "Follow" now that Apple has introduced a paid Podcast service.
There is an option to save and download podcast episodes, automatically add them to the Library for quick access, and the download and notification settings can be customized on a schedule by schedule.
App reminder
There is now an option to sort the reminder lists by due date, creation date, priority or title, also there is an option to print a reminder list, which was a feature that reminder users they have long wanted.
Apple also fixed a bug that could cause some reminders created via Siri to be set for the early hours of the morning.
News app
There's a new search tab in the Apple News app and the News + section has been redesigned with a 'For You' feature and an easier-to-access navigation tab.
Translation app
Using Apple's translation app, you can now adjust the playback speed by long pressing the play button when you hear a translation aloud.
Apple Watch iCloud settings
iOS 14.5 adds a new iCloud switch for Apple Watch that lets you choose whether or not to back up your Apple Watch to the cloud.
Shortcuts
There is a new shortcut action to take a screenshot that can be incorporated into various shortcuts, as well as new actions to lock the iPhone orientation and switch between mobile data modes. With the action in voice and data modes, you have options to select 5G, 5G Auto and 4G network options.
Disable unknown call pop-ups
When you receive a call from an unknown person in iOS 14.5, Apple may ask you to mute calls, a feature first introduced in iOS 13.
With call barring, calls from unknown numbers will be sent directly to voicemail. The functionality itself isn't new, but in some situations Apple seems to highlight the functionality in the Phone app.
Track Beats headphones and third-party accessories in Find
Users can now track certain non-Apple products, such as Beats headphones and upcoming Belkin wireless headphones, using Apple's integrated search application under the newly added "Objects" tab.
The Articles tab will also host AirTags when Apple launches the article tracking accessory.
Find my security settings
In the Search under «Me» application, there is a new object security feature designed as a precautionary measure for AirTag and Bluetooth devices that can be tracked using the Search application.
If you have an object on or near you that is broadcasting your location, the iPhone will notify you. Your settings will prevent someone from getting a search-compatible Bluetooth tracker or AirTag in your possession for the purpose of tracking or stalking you. There is a switch to disable it if you want, but most people will probably want to keep it enabled.
Tactile feedback from the MagSafe wallet
When connecting or disconnecting one of Apple's MagSafe wallets to an iPhone 12 model, there is a stronger and more noticeable tactile vibration.
Emergency Alert Settings
In Settings> Notifications> Emergency Alerts, you can now tap on the settings to disable an "Always deliver" feature that prevents emergency alerts from ringing when the volume / ringer is turned off. Warnings for earthquakes, tsunamis, and other similar emergency alerts will sound an alarm on your iPhone, according to Apple's code.
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You can share an estimated arrival time from Apple Maps using Siri or the keyboard commands in CarPlay.
Features exclusive to iPadOS 14.5
Apple logo on the horizontal loading screen
On iPad, the loading screen with the Apple logo now appears in landscape orientation if your iPad is positioned that way.
Emoji support for iPad
You can now search for a specific emoji in iPadOS 14.5, a feature that was added to iPhone with the release of iOS 14.
Support for Scribble language (handwriting)
For Apple Pencil users, iPadOS 14.5 expands the number of languages supported by the Scribble feature. It now supports German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.
Scribble is designed to allow users to type into any text field on iPad, with the handwritten text automatically converted to a typescript. Scribble can be used in iPadOS 14 to write iMessages, search Safari, find directions in Maps, create notes, schedule calendar events, and more.
IPad Smart Folio Security
In the 8th generation iPad, fourth generation iPad Air, second generation 11-inch iPad Pro, and 12,9-inch fourth generation iPad Pro, Apple has added a new privacy feature designed to disable the microphone whenever the Smart Folio is closed.
This will prevent apps from accessing the microphone when the tablet is not in use, and the feature will also work with other MFi smart cases. Apple first introduced this feature on the iPad Pro 2020 models and is expanding it to additional models.
Safety
Safer browsing
In iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, Apple uses Google's Safe Browsing feature through its servers in an attempt to limit the personal data that Google can collect from users.
In Safari, the scam website warning feature is designed to alert users if they are visiting a suspicious phishing website that is attempting to steal user data. To improve this feature, Apple uses Google's "Safe Browsing" database, which may allow Google to collect IP addresses.
By using the Safe Browsing feature via its servers, Apple may limit the data displayed by Google.
No-Click Attack Prevention
iOS and iPadOS 14.5 include extended PAC security provisions designed to make it more difficult to execute clickless attacks. With zero-click attacks, hackers can enter a target device without the victim's interaction, for example by clicking on a link, making it difficult for users to detect them.
Correction of the error
Correction of the green tint
iOS 14.5 includes "optimizations" to fix the green tint problem encountered by some iPhone owners. Apple says the optimization aims to "reduce the appearance of a faint glow that can appear at reduced brightness levels with black backgrounds on iPhone 12 models."
Change AirPods
Apple claims to have fixed a bug that could cause audioAirPods audio to be routed to the wrong device when using automatic switching. There is also a fix for a bug that could cause auto-toggle notifications to be missing or duplicated.
Problems with messages
Apple says that a bug has been fixed that prevented some messages from sending text persistently in some threads, suggesting that there may be a workaround for the problem that caused iMessage issues in group conversations with Android users.
MagSafe battery for iPhone 12
There is a vague mention of charging an iPhone with a 'battery pack' in the iOS 14.5 code in the optimized charging section, which seems to suggest a future battery for iPhone 12. "To improve charging efficiency and maximize battery life, the battery will keep the phone approximately 90% charged," reads the text.
Bloomberg confirmed that Apple is in fact developing an iPhone 12 battery that connects via MagSafe.
